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Original poster

New roof, kitchen and bathroom--will I go insane?

13 replies

Arabica · 11/04/2006 21:28

We can't afford to buy a new flat (top half of a small terraced house) and so we are having 5 weeks of renovation work done before our new baby arrives late July. Moving out whilst the works are completed isn't an option save for the odd night here and there. Just wondered what I had to look forward to in terms of disruption, dust and mayhem!

OP posts:

cori · 11/04/2006 21:40

Yes probably,
Only joking. Kitchen and bathroom shouldnt take too long. Ours only took a few days each. Dont know about the roof.
When is the work starting?

Original poster

Arabica · 11/04/2006 22:43

Could be starting the kitchen and bathroom on 24th April, or maybe starting with the roof on 15 may!

OP posts:

MrsSpoon · 11/04/2006 22:56

Yes, it probably will drive you mad but it will be so worth it.

zubb · 11/04/2006 23:17

It needn't be too bad - I think it's how you approach it really. If they say 5 weeks, mentally prepare for it to be 8 weeks at least - that way when it runs over you won't get so stressed. Ask them for some sort of schedule, and for how many days (if any) you will be without kitchen / water / bathroom - then you can loosely plan when you will need to stay away.
We've just had an extension built - they started in September, and originally said 10 weeks, but actually took 6 months! But all the guys who did the work were great, we kept good communication throughout, never got stressed by the delays - just put them down as 'these things happen', and I kind of miss them now they have finished! It did cost me a fortune in tea, coffee and sugar, but the end result was so worth it - it is like having a new house without moving.

BettySpaghetti · 11/04/2006 23:48

Don't underestimate the dust -there will be a lot of it! If possible seal any rooms not being used during the days the builders are there.

Try and get out and about as much as possible (in fact you will probably need to with no bathroom/kitchen)-at least you've chosen the right time of year

We had an extension built when I was pregnant with our second. In fact it was still being finished after we got out of hospital with DS. You just cope somehow but make sure you've got some friends and family to escape to.

mrsdarcy · 12/04/2006 00:51

I've been without my kitchen for the last 4 weeks and it will continue for another month or so.

In the other rooms of your house, try to get them tidy so it is easy to deal with the dust. I have got dust all over my mess and it will take hours and hours to get rid of it!

Our builders have managed to plumb in our washing machine and dishwasher most nights, which has been fantastic. Without the washing machine I really would have hated it. They even built up a temporary platform each night for a week, when they had dug out the floor.

Plan a small repertoire of food you can cook easily and without lots of preparation. We've lived off baked potatoes, tortillas, and a few ready meals. And friends' hospitality and picnics

I keep reminding myself that I'm in this situation through choice, it's not as though I've been bombed or anything really deserving of sympathy. And it will be lovely when it's done.

Original poster

Arabica · 12/04/2006 11:53

Thanks for all the helpful replies. My asthma is exacerbated by dust so I have to be careful.

OP posts:

bundle · 12/04/2006 11:54

lots of opportunities for nice coffees out then, young woman!

Original poster

Arabica · 12/04/2006 12:00

Yes, and lunch, and dinner!

OP posts:

bundle · 12/04/2006 12:02

how are you feeling today? my sunny morning was quickly deflated by crap victoria line trains...

Gizmo · 12/04/2006 12:31

Arabica! Amusingly enough (I think we have a double lives thang going on here...) I'm also contemplating a new bathroom, kitchen and small extension. While pregnant. This is the second time for me (seems to be a pattern) but whereas the last time I played it safe and only got pregnant once the works were well underway, this time I'm facing the attractive idea of a homebirth and a new born in the middle of the project .

From experience the last time we did this, cultivate your neighbours! WC is essential so plan project around that (and shower for morale if possible). Dust curtains will help to a certain extent, but things will get dusty so moving stuff into storage if possible might make the final clean up easier. Also, you should probably resign yourself to buying a new hoover, because builder's dust is fatal to hoovers, IME.

Good luck - it will be worth it when it's done, I'm sure!

zubb · 12/04/2006 17:52

Gizmo - we had planned the extension for when I was pregnant with ds3, but due to delays they actually started 2 days after I had him. They were meant to start the day I had him (homebirth - that would have been fun!), but instead 2 days later I opened the door in my pyjamas at 8.30 to find the groundbreakers on the doorstep, and the jackhammers starting! Funnily enough ds3 can sleep through anything now!!

Original poster

Arabica · 12/04/2006 18:57

Hi Bundle, I only travelled on foot today, so wasn't affected by Vicky line. Hope you got home OK.
Hiya Gizmo, maybe the builders can help with your home delivery!!
Great to hear from you, is the pregnancy going OK, and are you running? (I had to stop because it was just too uncomfortable--baby pressing on my bladder). Am therefore much larger than I would like to be but managing to do a bit of gym work and the occasional short bike ride.

OP posts:

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